Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
May 14, 2024

Image: Pixabay/TarikVision
Interac is the dominant online payment transfer system in Canada. Last August, the company reported that for the first time ever, they had recorded over a billion mobile transactions in the previous twelve-month period. They claimed this proves that Canadians prefer using a mobile device for everyday transactions.
Mobile Interac Debits pass through a tokenization platform for digital payments, allowing consumers to make a payment without having to share their financial information. This could be at a contactless point-of-sale reader, for a virtual purchase, or when using the mobile app. Consumers are choosing Interact because it reduces fraud risk and is simple and convenient.
The latest data from Interac shows the number of Interac Debit contactless payments has gone up by over 50% in the past year. These payments are made using smartphones or wearable devices. Between August 2022 and July 2023, there were just over a billion transactions. However, Interac is not just used for physical purchases.
It continues to dominate online transactions and is used to purchase everything from travel tickets and online shopping to paying for virtual entertainment. It is the payment method of choice for many Canadians (mostly in Ontario) who enjoy a flutter at an online casino, including the listed ones that accept Interac. While risk and reward are what attract many people to gambling, they still want to know they are playing at reputable sites and that their transactions are secure.
Compared to all other business and consumer cards issued in Canada, Interac has by far the largest share. In 2022, there were 15.43 billion such transactions in Canada on cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, Interac and American Express. Interac is Canada’s top national debit card, with over 40 percent of the total market. Visa is its nearest rival at just under 35 percent, with Mastercard accounting for almost 23 percent and America Express having just under two percent.
William Keliehor, Chief Commercial Officer at Interac, asserts that the transaction milestones demonstrate that consumers are getting more comfortable using mobile technology for day-to-day transactions. He noted that consumers are gradually switching from physical cards to mobile devices for Interac Debit contactless transactions and payments, as well as choosing to use Interact Debit for online shopping.
He said,
“Canadians are embracing technologies that make their lives faster, more seamless and more convenient. Our Interac Debit data is showing mobile payments reaching a critical mass point, where a third of contactless transactions are now completed with a mobile device.”
The trend might have started with people slipping their debit cards into the back of their phone case and becoming accustomed to not having to carry their physical wallets with them. Then, improved battery life and connectivity made people feel confident that they could ditch the plastic entirely and rely on the e-wallet on the phone. The data backs this up as more consumers are using their mobile phones to complete in-person transactions instead of using their physical cards. Mobile payments rose from 18 percent of these transactions in June 2022 to 24 percent in July 2025. A quarter of Interac Debit contactless payments were done using an e-wallet on a mobile device.
In-app transactions are on the up, too. Interac’s In-App transactions surpassed 8.6 million and grew 17.5 percent from 2022 to 2023. There can be no denying that the pandemic accelerated the growth in digital payments. The trend had started before the pandemic, but contactless spending limits were low. However, increased spending limits for tap-to-pay card transactions was one of the factors that encouraged the trial of contactless payments amongst consumers who had previously been resistant. Once they felt comfortable with contactless payments, the next step was to use the in-app payment feature, which was not constrained by the limits imposed on physical card transactions.
However, Interac’s Keliehor claims these factors are secondary to the major driver of increased Interac transactions, which he says are debit-first and mobile-first payments.
He claimed,
“More and more Canadians are choosing to pay using a mobile device like a smartphone or wearable device, and we’re seeing this reflected in our transaction data as well as survey findings.”
Unsurprisingly, it is Gen Zers who are driving the change and influencing older generations to make mobile payments. They are the ones most likely not to carry a wallet and rely on a mobile device to make payments. Recent data shows that 78 percent of Canadian Gen Zers complete in-person smartphone transactions.
Generation Xers and Baby Boomers have also become less wary of mobile payments and are embracing them now. Among Gen Xers, 42 percent pay using their smartphones. However, it appears they have been nudged into doing so by the younger generation. Having watched Gen Zers in their circles leading the way, they then give it a go themselves. More than half of younger people say they have shown older family members how to use contactless mobile payments.
As Canadians adopt to new payment technologies, they take for granted that businesses will offer a full spectrum of payment options, including in-app payments, mobile contactless and online secure checkouts. Seventy-one percent of Canadians expect a ‘pay by debit’ option whether they are paying digitally, in person or online. Cash usage is definitely declining, and many stores just do not accept it anymore. We have become used to this when shopping online or on the go, but it can come as a shock when travelling. Each country has its own norms on this. Visitors to the UK can easily use digital payments, but small and medium businesses in countries like Belgium can still be cash-only environments.
It is expected that Interac will continue to dominate the Canadian market, and people in the sector are referring to the move away from cash and towards debit payments for everything as “the big shift”. Businesses of all sizes need to be able to meet customer expectations, and there will be even more innovation in this area in the months and years ahead.
We might still enjoy our national bank holidays, but we now live in a 24-hour digital economy that never rests.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Cybersecurity | May 13, 2024

Image: Freepik/upklyak
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) has proudly announced the winners of the Mastercard Cybersecurity Scholarship, Vaishnavi Shanmugam and Erika Thea Ajes. This prestigious award grants each recipient $25,000 to support their studies in UNB's Master of Applied Cybersecurity and the Research-Intensive Cyber Knowledge Studies programs, emphasizing the importance of advancing cybersecurity education and research.
The Mastercard Cybersecurity Scholarship is an investment in the future of digital security. Both recipients are involved in forward-thinking cybersecurity projects at UNB, with Shanmugam focusing on network security enhanced by machine learning, and Thea Ajes specializing in developing robust software against cyber threats. Their work is expected to contribute significantly to the evolving landscape of fintech security, offering fresh insights into protecting digital assets and infrastructures.
Vaishnavi Shanmugam:
"Being a mom to a one-year-old daughter while navigating my studies is a challenging journey. UNB, CIC and Mastercard have recognized my hard work and awarded me this scholarship. This support extends beyond financial assistance; it has significantly reduced the burden of my education loan and given me the time to focus more on my studies.”
Erika Thea Ajes:
“I was amazed when I got the news, especially since it was my first time applying for a scholarship. The news lifted a weight off my shoulders and brought immense relief to my family back in the Philippines. I’m looking forward to the RICKS training program with CIC and Mastercard, and I can’t fully express my gratitude and excitement for this opportunity.”
The Mastercard Cybersecurity Scholarship not only alleviates the financial burden for its recipients but also enriches the fintech ecosystem by nurturing innovators like Shanmugam and Thea Ajes. Congratulations to the scholarship winners, and kudos to Mastercard for their commitment to empowering the next generation of cybersecurity experts.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Payments | May 7, 2024

Image: Boku 2024 Global Ecommerce Report
The 2024 Boku Global Ecommerce Report, produced in collaboration with Juniper Research, offers a detailed analysis of the rapidly evolving landscape of global ecommerce and payment systems drawing from extensive data across 37 major markets to provide insights into the current trends and future directions of the payments industry.
Traditional credit card usage like Visa and Mastercard are facing significant headwinds due to the rapid adoption of local payment methods that cater more closely to regional consumer behaviors and needs. These methods often offer greater security, lower fees, and are better integrated into mobile and digital user experiences. Furthermore, regulatory initiatives aimed at reducing foreign dependency in financial transactions are compelling markets to adopt and promote local payment infrastructures.
Overall, the 2024 Boku Global Ecommerce Report serves as a crucial resource for understanding the dynamics of the global payments industry, offering valuable insights for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of modern ecommerce environments. Visit NCFA's fintech industry reports and research page for more
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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April 25, 2024

Image: Unsplash/Tech Daily
When making deposits at iGaming sites, you may see terms like EFT and e-wallet listed on the cashier pages. Although they sound alike, they are two different payment modalities, and work differently.
In this piece we will cover major EFTs for iGaming : Interac, Instadebit, iDebit, Rapid by Skrill and Trustly. And explain how EFTs and e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller and MuchBetter differ.
An EFT or electronic funds transfer is a payment service. It lets you directly deposit and withdraw money from your bank when transacting online. This allows fast, secure bank transfers without cards.
Key features of an EFT are:
Popular EFTs in iGaming include:
Interac is a popular EFT system used by most online casinos accepting Canadian players.
Here is what you need to know about Interac:
To use Interac, you first choose it as your deposit/withdrawal method at cashiers of gambling sites. You then select your bank, log into your online banking portal right on the site and authorize transfers to process immediately.
As one of the fastest and most trusted EFT systems for Canadians, Interac makes bankroll management easy and secure. You can quickly send funds back and forth as you please.
Trustly also offers a popular EFT platform for instant deposits and fast withdrawals globally.
Key features:
Using Trustly is straightforward. On supported gambling sites, you pick Trustly as your banking method from the cashier section. Select your bank to login via BankID directly, review and authorize the transaction which gets processed instantly between accounts with confirmations in online banking.
For Canadians, Instadebit provides another excellent EFT choice.
Benefits of their platform:
Using Instadebit first involves signing up for an account on their platform and connecting bank account details. Once setup, you can choose Instadebit in the cashier when depositing/withdrawing on supported gambling sites. Just input banking info, review and confirm transfers to have funds securely exchanged between accounts within hours typically.
Like Instadebit, iDebit offers user-friendly EFTs tailored for Canadian gamblers too.
Key features:
Using Instadebit first involves signing up for an account on their platform and connecting bank account details. Once setup, you can choose Instadebit in the cashier when depositing/withdrawing on supported gambling sites. Then just simply input your banking info, review and confirm transfers to have your funds instantly credited.
Besides their e-wallet, Skrill also provides EFTs through Rapid.
Rapid offers:
Sign up for Skrill and choose Rapid as your deposit method. This lets you deposit directly from your bank account into Skrill. You can then use that balance to deposit at your preferred online casino.
Along with other EFTs, Rapid furnishes easy alternatives for Canadian gamblers to fund accounts through local bank transfers.
While EFT services facilitate direct integration between your bank account and the online gambling platforms, e-wallets work differently.
Popular e-wallets used for gaming transactions include:
The key difference with e-wallets is:
So it adds an additional party between you, your bank, and the gambling site. Rather than a direct transfer like with EFTs, e-wallets take deposits into their independent platform which you can then use to fund gaming activity.
Benefits of e-wallets include:
Here are main reasons you should always select direct EFT deposits over alternate cashier options like cards or e-wallets:
The best EFT platforms like Interac and Trustly offer near instantaneous transfers. Your deposit is credited instantly just as if you were using an e-wallet. EFT technology also minimizes potential transaction issues compared to slower or more complex payment channels.
Unlike cards, your sensitive banking details aren’t directly exposed to merchants. And you avoid tying your identity to 3rd party e-wallets as well. EFTs keep your information confidential via secure SSL encryptions between governing provider, bank, and casino.
If you ever play at foreign online casinos (which we don’t recommend by the way), EFTs always provide better rates and lower fees compared to credit cards. You get to transfer cash straight from bank to site with minimal losses. No hidden fees at all.
For licensed, regulated iGaming operators across jurisdictions like Canada, EFT transactions aid site compliance thanks to direct player verification protocols and transparent payment audit trails.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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